What different Screening Checks are there?
There are several different Screening Checks that may be required for people who volunteer or work in the Uniting Church. The most common of these are:
- Working with Children Checks (WWCCs)
- General Employment Probity Checks
- Vulnerable Person Related Employment Checks
How do I know which Screening Check I need?
The Information on the Screening and Authority Process sheet includes details about which Screening Checks are needed when. This information is summarised below:
Working with Children Check (WWCC) - valid for 5 years (portable)
See our Working with Children Check resource page for information or continue reading to apply for one.
General Employment Probity Check - valid for 3 years (non-portable) and required for:
- Ministry Agents in active service (eg. Ministers and Pastors) and employees in the church
- Church Council members and office bearers
- Anyone who is rostered or requested by a church leader to drive members to/from church activities
- Anyone who deals with or handles money
Vulnerable Person Related Employment Check - valid for 3 years (portable) and required for:
- Ministry Agents in active service (eg. Ministers and Pastors) and employees in the church
- Anyone who undertakes intentional pastoral care on behalf of the congregation
- Anyone who leads or assists with worship services in aged care facilities or hospitals
- Anyone who works with refugees or migrants
- Anyone offering social support services (eg. counselling, financial support, soup kitchen)
So, how do I apply for these Screening Checks?
Screening Check requests are facilitated by the SA Synod via an application made on the Safe Church Screening page. Information collected from this application will initiate a Screening Check with the DHS.
Use this flowchart (which refers to the below two information sheets) to follow the process through.
If you have any queries, please contact our Safe Church Congregation Liaison (Kathy Fopp).
* Note that if you are under 18 you will still need to go through the first part of this process, however you will be unable to verify your ID online and will need to complete a 100 point check via the DHS website.
* Note that if you don't have an Australian driver's licence and an Australian passport (acceptable even if expired for up to two years) or a numbered Australian birth certificate or a numbered Australian citizenship certificate, you will need to complete this 100 Point Identity Verification Check instead of using the online DHS process.
More From 'Resources'
Poem - The Cross of Christ
THE CROSS OF CHRIST
Christ’s sacrifice upon that cross
Somehow just sets us free
He died but then He rose again
For us that’s hard to see
We struggle in this earthly life
Entrapped by fears within
Not fully understanding that
Christ took away our sin
We all are called to just believe
“It was finished” on the cross
God’s grace beyond all measure
Sacrificed Christ on that cross
To somehow make a way for all
Who’d strayed since Adam’s fall
It was the perfect sacrifice
Planned especially for all
God Himself then saved His Son
He took Him back to heaven
Christ is with His Father now
Knowing man can be forgiven
The holy Spirit’s been sent down
To help us here to know
Christ will come again one day
Christ’s Father made that vow
We know there is a home for us
When Jesus comes again
He’s coming on that wondrous cloud
With a host of angels then
Creation will bow down to Him
They’ll know their sin and shame
Even those who pierced Him too
Will know He took their blame
On that Day when Christ arrives
Life will change for all mankind
Those who’ve loved the Lord of life
Will be renewed in soul and mind
From that old wooden cross
I have been set free
Christ their took all sin
From you and from me
Just believe that it’s true
What God in Christ did for you
— Graham K Byrne 2023
Life Group Studies - Lenten Series: Lamentations
Thank you to Simon for preparing this Lenten Series of Life Group Bible Studies on Lamentations. For each week there are some helpful thoughts, suggested readings and questions either for discussion in groups or for pondering on your own.
There are printed copies of each study on the Easter Resource Table at church - they are also available for download below:
- Study 1 - Lamentations intro
- Study 2 - How lonely sits the city (Lam 1)
- Study 3 - Where is bread and wine? (Lam 2)
- Study 4 - The Great Turning Point (Lam 3)
- Study 5 - How the gold has lost its lustre (Lam 4)
- Study 6 - A Prayer for Restoration (Lam 5)
2023 Bible Reading Plan
As a church we are following Tim Chester’s 3-year Bible Reading Plan, taking us through the Old Testament once and the New Testament twice. It’s in weekly chunks so there is no pressure if you happen to miss a day. It’s flexible and manageable. We've done it for the past 4 years and we're starting it again in 2023.
Developing a Bible reading habit can be challenging so we'd suggest doing it together. This way you'll not only read the Bible but also be able to share with others the insights you are gaining from the readings and be encouraged to keep going.
How to get involved:
- Life Groups: Get your Life Group involved and use the readings as the basis of your sharing each week;
- Solo: Read the set readings on your own and prayerfully journal your thoughts;
We'd love to have you join us!